Chapter 57
I traveled through the night and arrived on a splendid day. Luckily, none of this scandal had reached the media, so I wouldn’t have to deal with troublesome reporters. I walked toward the mansion, and as always, Joffre was waiting for me at the entrance. I handed him my suitcase as I walked inside.
"Where is my aunt?"
"She stayed the night at the mansion. She wanted to wait for you to talk."
"And Belle? Did you search for her as I asked?"
"I did, sir… but it hasn't been as easy as I thought." I stopped in my tracks and looked at him.
"Did you check her previous workplaces?"
"Yes, and no one has seen her since her last day there."
"And the nightclub?"
"They said she only worked there for one night."
"Then, what about her previous home, hotel, or wherever she was living?" Joffre remained silent, and I pressed him.
"What are you hiding from me?"
"I’ve been looking into it for a while now, and Miss Belle is like a ghost."
"A ghost?"
"What I mean is that she’s a woman who has never owned any place, nor has she stayed in any lodging or shelter…"
"What…? Then where the hell has she lived? It doesn't make any sense… Is she homeless?" Joffre stayed silent, and I shook my head in disbelief.
"I haven’t confirmed it yet, but I believe she did live on the streets… which is why we can’t find her in any establishments." I ran my hand across my forehead, unsure of what to say. It seemed unbelievable that Belle had lived on the streets; I couldn’t even imagine that situation. So where was she? I entered the living room, where my aunt was calmly drinking tea and reading the newspaper.
"Oh, darling! I’ve been waiting for you. Please, sit down."
"No sitting, Aunt Hilda. Who the hell gave you the right to throw out my employees without my supervision?"
"No one, I decided on my own."
"And who gave you that right?" She put down the newspaper, her smile fading into a serious expression.
"Are you really arguing with me over a mere employee you can easily replace?"
"You have no right to come into my house and kick out my employees as you please. I don’t care if you think it’s the right thing to do; respect my home and my rules, or don’t set foot in this mansion again!"
"Are you seriously yelling at me over that woman? Now I see she’s not just a simple worker, as you tried to explain. Cesar, this may not be my house, but I won’t allow my sister’s memory to be tarnished. I know very well what she wanted for you, and I won’t let you bring in any gold-digger."
"Desires…? What desires are you talking about? My family, my mother, is dead… and if they had any desires, they died with them. So don’t tell me how to live my life."
"Don’t you see that woman is taking advantage of her innocent face? When you realize it, she’ll come to you with the story that she’s pregnant, and how will that reflect on the Montenegro family? Or am I wrong…? Tell me, then, what do you want her for? If you want to have fun, buy yourself some prostitutes, but don’t tarnish the family name."
"I have a lot of respect for you, Aunt Hilda. My mother loved you… but the next time you enter my house without my permission, you’ll be thrown out worse than the servants."
"Cesar! But do you hear yourself…? You’re really getting worked up over a woman you barely know. Meanwhile, Belladona is waiting for you to marry her."
"Well, tell her to get her information straight next time, and that she should keep waiting because she’ll get nothing from me except money." Her face turned pale, and I opened the door, urging her to leave.
"Have a good day, Aunt." She grabbed her purse with irritation and said.
"Good day." I let out a deep sigh and collapsed into the nearest chair.
"Where are you, Belle…?"
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